Food waste disposer



April 11, 1961 R. H. TULL 2,979,274

FOOD WASTE DISPOSER Filed Aug. 9, 1957 INVENTOR ROBERT H. TULL m g/M2 H65. ATTORNEY United States Patent FOOD WASTE DISPOSER Robert H. Tull, Wilbraham, Mass, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 677,385

6 Claims. (Cl. 241-325) This invention relates to food waste disposal apparatus, more particularly to means for adapting such apparatus for the optional addition of safety'and convenience features, and has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

Where it is desired to build food waste disposers having safety and convenience features, some manufacturers construct several distinctly different units, some of which are particularly constructed during assembly to have special features. Such features may include an inlet connection for a dishwaster drain outlet or a motor control switch, the latter being responsive to movement of a closure for the disposer inlet. The manufacture of several diiferent models usually proves costly since an investment must be made in special tools for each model, and further, there are such associated tasks as keeping separate stocks and records for each of the several models.

A second approach to this problem is to build a convertible basic unit with fittings and connections formed in the disposer housing for adaptation of the basic unit for all available features, the advantage of this method being that a smaller outlay'is required for production tools than would be required for the construction of several different models. One important disadvantage of this second approach, however, is that the basic unit is uneconomically produced where its adaptability is not utilized and, as a consequence, cannot favorably compete, pricewise, with a non-adaptable unit. It is desirable, therefore, to manufacture a basic .unit having no fittings or connections, but which can be adapted quickly and inexpensively for the addition of features by means of an adapter kit. i

As a further object, this invention is directed to the solution of the problem hereinbefore set forth and provides a food waste disposer unit of novel construction to which safety and convenience features can be added either when the unit is installed, or later, by means of a unique adapter kit.

conventionally, a basic disposer unit comprises a housing containing a motor-driven comminuting member, and assocated electrical and drain connections, all of which are supported beneath the drain outlet of a sink by a sup porting structure which includes. a tubular adapter sleeve. The adapter sleeve is supported by the sink and provides a sealed passage between the sink outlet and the housing inlet. In accordance with this invention, a ring-like adapter insert is provided for placement in sealing relationship between the lower end of the. adapter sleeve and the housing inlet. The insert contains a radial passage and a fitting to which a dishwasher drain outlet can be connected, by a suitable conduit, for discharging water and waste into the disposer housing for comminujtion and disposal. The insert also contains a switch for controlling energization of the disposer drive motor in .response to an inserted sink outlet closure which cooperates with the switch. By this arrangement, there is'provided an efiicient and economical means of adding features to a low cost, basic disposer unit.

Patented Apr. 11, 1961 The foregoing and other objects are effected by the tion and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a food waste disposer attached to a sink and constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the underside ofthe adapter insert with portions thereof shown in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the food waste disposer shown in Fig. 1, showingthe adapter insert and supporting structure in detail;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a'olosure employed to control the disposer;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail views illustratingihe cooperation between leg portions of the closure member and lugs on the adapter insert; and,

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the upper portion of a disposer in which the adapter insert is omitted. v

Referring to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 illustrates a food waste disposer including a housing 11 supported beneath the bottom wall 12 of asink by means of a supporting structure, generally indicated at 13 and hereinafter described in detail.

The disposer proper is of ordinary construction and in cludes a comminuting member 14, driven by an electric motor 15 for comminuting food waste'depositedthrough an inlet opening 16 in the top of the housing 11 and for discharging comminuted waste through a drain pipe 17. A control box 18 is attached to the exterior of the housing 11 and contains a starting relay and associated electrical equipment for energizing the motor 15 in response to actuation of a switch. The latter is described following a detailed description of the means for supporting the disposer unit below a sink outlet.

The conventional supporting structure of a basic food waste disposer is arranged as shown in Fig. 7. An'

adapter sleeve 21 of the supporting structure 13 defines an extension of the outlet and comprises a vertical tubular portion 22 having an outwardly extending flange 23 at its upper end which rests on the sink wall 12. The lower end of the tubular portion 22 of the adapter sleeve 21 defines a circular rim which is substantially aligned with the housing inlet 16; Encompassing the tubular portion 22 of the adapter sleeve 21, and suitably attached thereto, is a supporting ring 24 to which the disposer housing 11 is secured by means of suitable bolts 25 and nuts (not shown). When the housing 11 and" the supporting ring 24 are properly positioned and secured, the housing inlet 16 and the lower end of the adapter sleeve 21 are held in sealing relationship. The bolts 25 also serve to engage and hold a clamping ring 26 against" the if under surface of the sink Wall 12. The clamping ring 26 also encompasses the tubular portion 22 of the adapter sleeve 21 and cooperates withthe sleeve flange 2310 clamp and form a seal with the sink wall 12 bordering the sink outlet. To improve the seal, gaskets of'wellknown construction and resilient material are interposed between the mating surfaces of these elements. The top opening of the disposer is adapted to be closed by a suitable removable closure 34 comprising a stopper and perforated plate of ordinary construction. i r

In accordance with this invention, the basic food waste disposer shown in Fig. 7, including its supporting structure 13, is adaptable to the addition of an adapter kit shown in proper position in Figs. 1 and 3, by means of which the disposer can be readily converted to stopper controlled operation and to receive Waste fluid from a dishwasher or the like. Mountable between the supporting ring 22 and the disposer housing .11 is a ring like adapter insert 27 having an opening therethrough, which opening, together with the housing inlet 16 and the tubular portion 22 of the adapter sleeve 21, forms an inlet or feeding passage 28 from the disposer. Holes, aligned with holes of similar size in the housing 11 and the supporting ring 24, are provided in the insert 27 through which the mounting bolts 25 for the disposer housing pass. The insert 27 is thus clamped between the housing 11 and the supporting ring 24, and held in sealing relationship with the housing inlet 16 and the lower end of the adapter sleeve 21 in the same manner and by the same means (bolts 25) as the basic disposer housing 11 is attached to the supporting means 13. Resilient gaskets of well-known construction are interposed between the mating surfaces of these elements to improve the seal.

- Low cost installations may include a remote switch of the wall-mounted, toggle type (not shown), electrically connected to the control box 18 of a basic food waste disposer. This invention includes a switch 30, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, forming part of the optional adapter kit that adds safety and convenience features to the basic disposer unit. Suitable wiring is employed to electrically connect the control box 18 and the switch 30, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The switch 30 is mounted on the periphery of the insert 27 and is actuated by a pin member 29 which extends between the switch 19 and the passage 28, through a radial hole in the insert 27. A sleeve spring 31 biases the actuating pin 29 to a normally non-actuating or open switch position and yieldingly resists movement of the pin 29 toward the switch 30.

Also formed in the insert 27 is a radial opening 32 which provides communication between the passage 28 and the exterior surface of the insert 27 for admitting drainage from a dishwasher to the housing 11. A threaded fitting 33 is formed on the insert for connecting the opening 32 to a drain conduit from the dishwasher.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the top opening of the disposer receives a removable closure 34 adapted to cooperate with the insert 27 as a control for the disposer.

The closure 34 comprises a circular plate 36 having four openings of segmental form to permit flow of liquid into the housing 11, and a stopper 37 for closing the openings in the plate 36. The stopper 37 has an integral handle 39 extending from its top side and an integral shaft 42 (see Fig. 3) extending downwardly through a circular hole in the center of the plate 36. The shaft 42 permits vertical movement of the stopper 37 with respect to the plate 36 and has its lower end secured to a spider 43 having three legs 44. The spider 43 is rigidly secured and keyed to the end of the shaft 42 for movement therewith. Downwardly extending portions of the legs 44 provide radial cam surfaces 46 adapted to engage the end portion of the switch actuating pin 29 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The closure 34 is adapted to be received within the inlet passage of the disposer with its plate portion resting on an annular lip 45 on the inside of the adapter sleeve 21 (see Fig. 3) in such a manner that depending portions of its spider legs 44 project downwardly into the insert 27. Formed integrally with the insert 27 and extending radially inward from the lower portion of the inner wall thereof, are three circumferentially spaced lugs 47 upon which the stopper 37 can be supported, on its legs 44, in spaced relationship with the plate 36. Fig. illustrates the position of a leg 44 with respect to a lug 47 in a lowered position of the stopper 37. In order to set the stopper 37 in its raised, or open, position, for admitting sink water. to the housing 11, the user merely rotates the stopper handle 39 clockwise, causing sliding engagement of the legs 44 with the lugs 47 and movement of the legs 44 to a position of rest on the upper surfaces of the lugs 47.

The switch actuating pin 29 projects into the passage 28 above one of the lugs 47 in a position to be moved outwardly by one of the stopper legs 44, When it is desired to energize the comminuter motor 15, the handle 39 is rotated to an extreme clockwise position in which the cam surface 46 of one leg 44 moves the pin 29 outwardly and closes switch 30. During the comminution operation, heavy waste particles may be thrown upwardly, tending to cause displacement of the closure 34 from a switch actuating position. Accordingly, the lugs 47 are equipped with cars 49 which overlie projections 48 on the spider legs when the stopper is in its switch actuating position to prevent upward movement of the closure 34. (See Fig. 6.)

When food waste is to be comminuted, the closure 34 is removed from the adapter sleeve 21, waste is deposited in the housing 11, and the closure 34 is replaced, in open position, with the stopper legs 44 resting on the lugs 47 and out of contact with the switch actuating member 29. For example, a stopper leg 44 can be halfway between closed and switch actuating positions, respectively shown in Figs. 5 and 6; and, when in halfway position, the left-hand end of the stopper leg projection 48 rests on the right-hand end of the lug 47. In this position the stopper 37 is in spaced relationship with the plate 36 for admitting tap water to the housing 11. The closure handle 39 is then rotated clockwise to cause engagement of the cam surface 46 of one leg 44 with the switch actuating member 29 and effect cnergization of the motor 15 by the switch 30.

The dishwasher drain connection permits fluent waste from a dishwasher to be comminuted, and serves as a plumbing expedient during installation of a dishwasher. Water discharged into the disposer housing 11 will pass quickly through the disposer and out the drain pipe 17 even when the disposer is not operating.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that a new and efiicient means for adapting a food waste disposer has been provided whereby a basic food waste disposer can be improved with safety and convenience features, at the option of the purchaser. Although a particular type of closure is described and illustrated it should be understood that this invention can be practiced by applying the foregoing teachings to waste disposers having sink outlet closures and switch actuating means of different construction.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a comminuting device, the combination of a housing having an inlet for receiving material to be comminuted, means for securing said housing to a sing in a position where said housing inlet is substantially aligned with a drain outlet for the sink, a removable insert secured between said securing means and said housing and defining a passage between the sink outlet and the housing inlet, and means providing communication be tween an exterior surface of said insert and said passage whereby fluent material can be conveyed to said housing inlet through said insert, said sink outlet and said housing inlet having respective mating surfaces which are adapted to be held by said securing means in sealing relationship with each other in the absence of said insert whereby said comminuting device is operative with and without said insert secured between the sink outlet and the housing inlet.

2. In a comminuting device, the combination of a housing having an inlet for receiving material to be comminuted and a discharge outlet for discharging comminuted material, a comminuting member disposed within the housing, an electric motor arranged to drive the comminuting member, means for securing said housing to a sink in a position where said housing inlet is substantially aligned with a drain outlet for the sink, a removable insert secured between said securing means and said housing and defining a passage for material to be comminuted between the sink outlet and the housing inlet, said insert having switch means for controlling energization of said motor, a switch actuating member having a portion thereof projecting into said passage, and means disposed in the sink outlet for engaging the projecting portion of said switch actuating member to actuate said switch means, said sink outlet and said housing inlet having respective mating surfaces which are adapted to be held by said securing means in sealing relationship with each other in the absence of said insert whereby said comminuting device is operative with and without said insert secured between the sink outlet and the housing inlet.

3. In a comminuting device, the combination of a housing having an inlet for receiving material to be comminuted and a discharge outlet for discharging comminuted material, a comminuting member disposed within the housing, an electric motor arranged to drive the comminuting member when said motor is energized, means for securing said housing to a sink in a position where said housing inlet is substantially aligned with a drain outlet for the sink, said securing means including a outlet extension, an insert secured between said securing means and said housing and having an axial opening formed therein for defining a sealed passage for material to be comminuted between the sink outlet extension and the housing inlet, said insert having switch means for controlling energization of said motor, a switch actuating member carried by said insert and having a portion thereof projecting into said passage, and means disposed in the sink outlet for engaging the projecting portion of said switch actuating member to actuate said switch means, said sink outlet extension and said housing inlet having respective mating surfaces which are adapted to be held by said securing means in sealing relationship with each other in the absence of said insert whereby said comminuting device is operative with and without said insert secured between the sink outlet extension and the housing inlet.

4. In a comminuting device, the combination of a housing having an inlet for receiving material to be comminuted, means for securing said housing to a sink in a position where said housing inlet is substantially aligned with a drain outlet for the sink, said securing means including a sink outlet extension, an insert secured between said securing means and said housing and having an axial opening formed therein for defiing a sealed passage between the sink outlet extension and the housing inlet, and means providing communication between an exterior surface of said insert and said passage whereby waste matter can be conveyed to said housing inlet through said insert, said sink outlet extension and said housing inlet having respective mating surfaces which are adapted to be held by said securing means in sealing relationship with each other in the absence of said insert whereby said comminuting device is operative with and without said insert secured between the sink outlet extension and the housing inlet.

5. In a comminuting device adapted to be supported beneath the drain opening of a sink for receiving waste through said drain opening, the combination of: a housing having a circular inlet opening formed in an upper portion thereof for receiving material to be comminuted; a comminuting member disposed within the housing; an

electric motor arranged to drive the comminuting member when said motor is energized; a sink outlet extension having a lower circular rim adapted to be engageable with said upper portion of said housing in sealing relationship to said housing inlet opening; a ring-like insert removably disposed between said rim of said outlet extension and said housing for defining a sealed passage between said outlet extension and said housing inlet opening, said insert having switch means for controlling energization of said motor; a switch-actuated member carried by said insert and having a portion thereof projecting into said passage; means disposed in the sink outlet for engaging the projecting portion of said switch actuating member to actuate said switch means; supporting means surrounding and carried by said outlet extension; said supporting means, said insert and said housing portion having aligned openings therein; and securing means extending through said openings for holding said outlet extension, said insert and said housing in operative relation with said extension rim and said housing inlet in alignment; the construction and arrangement being such that said housing can be held by said securing means in operative relation to said outlet extension in the absence of said insert.

6. In a oomminuting device adapted to be supported beneath the drain opening of a sink for receiving Waste through said drain opening, the combination of: a housing having a circular inlet opening formed in an upper portion thereof for receiving material to be comminuted; a sink outlet extension having a lower circular rim adapted to be engageable with said upper portion of said housing in sealing relationship to said housing inlet opening; a ring-like insert having a passage therein extending from an exterior surface thereof to an interior surface thereof for providing an auxiliary waste fluid inlet to said housing, said insert being removably disposed between said rim of said outlet extension and said housing for defining a sealed passage between said outlet extension and said housing inlet opening; supporting means surrounding and carried by said outlet extension; said supporting means, said insert and said housing portion having aligned openings therein; and securing means extending through said openings for holding said outlet extension, said insert and said housing in operative relation with said extension rim and said housing inlet in alignment; the construction and arrangement being such that said housing can be held by said securing means in operative relation to said outlet extension in the absence of said insert.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,428,420 Green Oct. 7, 1947 2,442,812 Jordan June 8, 1948 2,477,686 Coss Aug. 2, 1949 2,575,905 Boosey Nov. 20, 1951 2,657,397 Drew Nov. 3, 1953 2,813,534 Low Nov. 19, 1957 2,824,702 Lee Feb. 25, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 512,177 Great Britain Aug. 20, 1939 

